Bruno pleads not guilty to federal charges

PHILADELPHIA — A West Chester district judge named last week in a sweeping federal “ticket fixing” indictment pleaded not guilty to fraud charges in federal court Monday, according to a Department of Justice spokeswoman.

Mark A. Bruno, who presides over District Court 15-1-01, pleaded not guilty in an initial appearance at United States District Court in Philadelphia. On Friday the Pennsylvania Supreme Court suspended Bruno without pay amid accusations that he participated in what officials called “a fraud conspiracy that involved a frequent and pervasive ‘ticket-fixing’ at the Philadelphia Traffic Court.”

Bruno was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, and aiding and abetting. According to a statement from the Justice Department, if convicted Bruno could face up to 60 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $750,000 fine.

Bruno was allowed to remain free on bail pending unsecured nominal bail, travel restrictions, and orders to surrender any firearms and his passport. He is also not permitted to have any contact with the case’s witnesses or codefendants unless counsel is present.

A call to Bruno’s attorney, Vincent DiFabio of Paoli, was not immediately returned Monday.

In Bruno’s absence, former Magisterial District Judge Stanley Scott is presiding over District Court 15-1-01. Scott, a former sergeant with the Uwchlan Police Department, first became a district judge in 1984 and retired in 2010.